Nov. 22, 2024

CO2 2024/2023: 423.71 ppm / 421.01 ppm (0.64%)
What was the CO2 when you were born?

Dear Planet Detroiter,

When you support a local newsroom, you want to know you’re investing in the future. Earlier this year, Planet Detroit won the 2024 LION Sustainability Award for financial health. This prestigious recognition celebrates our success in building a sustainable business model over the almost-six years of our existence, while delivering impactful environmental journalism.

What does this mean for you?

  1. Your donation goes further: Our award-winning financial responsibility ensures that your contribution is used efficiently to produce high-quality environmental reporting.
  2. Long-term impact: By supporting a financially sustainable newsroom, you’re investing in the future of environmental journalism in Detroit.
  3. Support excellence: This award, along with our 11 journalism awards in 2024, validates the quality and importance of our work.

From now until December 31, NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation 12 times or double your one-time gift, up to $1,000. Will you help us continue our award-winning, financially responsible environmental journalism?

Yes, I’ll support Planet Detroit!

Now, on to the news. Even Trump voters want to protect the EPA, water customers got a scary letter, trees and healing in Poletown East, and Michigan’s renewable siting law gets taken to court.

With gratitude,

Nina Ignaczak, Founder and Editor, Planet Detroit

P.S. Remember, your donation will be doubled if you give before December 31st. Don’t miss this chance to double your impact!

REPORTING FROM PLANET DETROIT

Poll: Majority of Trump voters want to protect the EPA

Have a great idea for an eco-friendly gift? Let’s hear it

What you need to know: Detroit’s water safe, but lead pipes remain a risk

New maps detail locations of lead in drinking water service lines across Metro Detroit

In Detroit’s Poletown East neighborhood, residents find healing among the trees

Could Dearborn Works make green steel? Advocate say now is the time.

Michigan’s renewable energy siting law under legal fire

Michigan’s PFAS protections head to court: Clean water or corporate wins? The Michigan Supreme Court is hearing a case that could overturn the state’s strict PFAS drinking water limits, hailed as some of the toughest in the nation. Chemical giant 3M argues the state skipped a key procedural step by not considering cleanup costs for businesses, but officials warn that scrapping the standards would leave millions at risk of exposure to cancer-causing “forever chemicals.” (Bridge Michigan)

Detroit Lifeline Plan users: Nov. 30 is the bill-saving cutoff: Detroiters in the Lifeline Plan, which lowers water bills to as little as $18 a month and erases past water debt, must recertify their income eligibility by Nov. 30 to stay enrolled. More than 26,700 households rely on the program, but if you don’t call Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency to confirm eligibility, expect your bill to jump in December. (Detroit Free Press)

Dingell and Tlaib say, ‘Water is a right, not a luxury’ Michigan Reps. Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib are pushing federal water affordability legislation to help struggling families. The plan builds on Detroit’s Lifeline model but takes it national. (Fox 2 Detroit)

DTE drops $100M: Substations get a glow-up: DTE Energy is shelling out $100 million for new substations to fix metro Detroit’s grid issues. No more blackouts and more reliable power for everyone? Let’s just hope this investment actually pays off when storms roll in. (CBS News Detroit)

MORE WHAT WE’RE READING>>>

⭐ Check out Planet Detroit’s jobs page for more>>>

⭐Applications for the Detroit branch of the Change Collective are now open. The collective seeks to elevate local changemakers in communities across the country.

⭐Detroit Food Academy is seeking a Classroom Facilitator for youth afterschool programming from December to May. 

⭐ Check out Planet Detroit’s events calendar for more>>>

⭐Clear the Air is hosting an Air Quality 101 dinner at three locations around Detroit and offering a virtual presentation. Register here. 

⭐Detroit Parks Coalition is hosting a teen outdoor writing workshop on November 23rd from 11 am to 1 pm at Palmer Park.

Have an event or job you want to promote? Reply to this email with the info.

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Tarryn Mento is a digital, audio and video journalist based in Syracuse, N.Y. She’s covered the pandemic in San Diego, reported on law enforcement in Phoenix, Ariz. and led a daily newsroom. She’s the force behind Planet Detroit’s social media and audience engagement efforts.